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Distribution, associated vegetation, conservation and utilization of Grewia tenax: an important underutilized shrub species of the Thar Desert of India

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 November 2018

K. Venkatesan ,
Anil Patidar ,
Maharaj Singh ,
Mahesh Kumar ,
R. N. Kumawat ,
Rahul Dev ,
Julius Uchoi ,
Abhishek Kumar ,
D. S. Mertia  and
J. P. Singh
K. Venkatesan
Affiliation:
ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute, Port Blair-744 105, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India
Anil Patidar*
Affiliation:
ICAR-Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Regional Research Station, Jaisalmer-345 001, Rajasthan, India
Maharaj Singh
Affiliation:
ICAR-Indian Institute of Soyabean Research, Indore-452 001, Madhya Pradesh, India
Mahesh Kumar
Affiliation:
ICAR-Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur-342 003, Rajasthan, India
R. N. Kumawat
Affiliation:
ICAR-Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur-342 003, Rajasthan, India
Rahul Dev
Affiliation:
ICAR-Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Regional Research Station, Kukma-Bhuj-370 105, Gujarat, India
Julius Uchoi
Affiliation:
ICAR-Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Regional Research Station, Jaisalmer-345 001, Rajasthan, India
Abhishek Kumar
Affiliation:
ICAR-Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Regional Research Station, Jaisalmer-345 001, Rajasthan, India
D. S. Mertia
Affiliation:
ICAR-Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Regional Research Station, Jaisalmer-345 001, Rajasthan, India
J. P. Singh
Affiliation:
ICAR-Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur-342 003, Rajasthan, India
*
*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Grewia tenax locally known as ‘Gangerun’, is an important multipurpose underutilized shrub and potentially threaten species of the Thar Desert of India. Owing to its importance, naturally available germplasm was collected and evaluated for its sustainable utilization in future. Data on individual mother plant, seed characters and soil profile were investigated. Habitat occurrence of G. tenax was found in patches with dominant association of Euphorbia caducifolia across the four districts of western Rajasthan. Individual plant on unprotected area portrayed far lower average height (0.95 m) and canopy area (1.75 m2) than protected area (2.63 m and 13.89 m2) signifying level of browsing pressure on this species in Jaisalmer. Soil samples belonging to Pali region have high organic carbon and low electrical conductivity content than Jaisalmer and Jodhpur. The statistical analysis of seed characters revealed the presence of high coefficient of variation (%) in 100-seed weight (HSW; 27.36) followed by seed length (SL; 8.06) and least in seed breadth (SB; 5.85). The range and mean values of HSW, SL, SB and length:breadth ratio (LBR) were (2.02–7.00 and 3.34 g), (4.36–6.15 and 5.36 mm), (3.73–4.68 and 4.25 mm) and (1.11–1.44 and 1.27), respectively. Significantly positive correlation was observed between SL and LBR (0.73) followed by HSW and SL (0.66). Along with these findings, its economic importance, utilization and conservation are detailed in this paper as to hasten further research on its various aspects for its successful conservation and utilization.

Keywords

browsing pressureGangeruniron supplementrangelandunderutilized fruits
Type
Research Article
Information
Plant Genetic Resources , Volume 17 , Issue 1 , February 2019 , pp. 73 - 80
Copyright
Copyright © NIAB 2018 

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